2014 Sleight of Hand Cellars ‘Archimage’ Red Blend

2014 Sleight Of Hand Cellars ‘Archimage’ Reserve Blend Columbia Valley        – Our Ode To Cheval Blanc . Best bbls of CF and MER every year. $436.80/case 
WA91 The 2014 The Archimage checks in as a blend of close to an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It has a complex, nuanced bouquet of ripe black fruits, charcoal, smoke tobacco and licorice. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, supple, pure and polished red that’s impeccably balanced and shines for its drinkability. 
VIN91 (15% alcohol; all free-run juice; aged in one-third new oak): Fresh dark red with ruby highlights. Dark fruit aromas are complicated by licorice, violet, bitter chocolate, tobacco and black tea nuances (Busch uses a good percentage of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels). Juicy, fresh and tight-grained, conveying a silky mouth feel but a lively high pitch to its dark berry, spice and floral flavors. A hint of smoked meat adds complexity. This nicely delineated, firmly structured wine finishes with suave, fine-grained tannins that spread out horizontally on the lingering, perfumed finish. I would expect this this sexy wine to fill in with more time in bottle.
Estate Notes: The 2014 Archimage is predominately from our Estate vineyards at Blue Mtn. Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA and Red Mtn. Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels, it is a gorgeous, elegant wine, leading off with aromas and flavors of plums, blueberries, chocolate, mint, and exotic spices. It has a velvety, plush texture, with a rich, silky mouthfeel that is framed by perfectly balanced acidity. This wine is stunning now, but will continue to evolve with cellaring. Enjoy now and over the next two decades!